Chapter 46: Where To Go

The end of the day couldn’t have come soon enough for Grace. After several bad calls, no one dying thankfully, a reporter left a message with her boss to contact her.
She’d dealt with this woman before in her last town and Grace wondered how the reporter had found her.
Looking forward to seeing Zach her step was lighter walking to her car. The dread took over when she saw how grim he looked.
At least he’d made it.
She stopped half a foot from him. He hadn’t gotten to know her enough for her to kiss him or go into his arms. Her heart ached for him to get to that point.
“What’s wrong?”
He jammed a hand through his hair. “I talked to Dolores. She’s home now.”
“So soon?”
“Checked herself out of the hospital. She hired a nurse.”
“Oh.”
This was significant, but she didn’t know why.
“She didn’t answer me when I asked her who she was blackmailing.”
Not “if,” but who. He believed her. Her heart leapt into her chest and she forced away a smile. “That’s how she can afford a nurse?”
“I’m guessing.”
She frowned. “Where does that leave us?”
“I don’t know. I can talk to the nurse and have her keep on eye out for anything strange.”
“Guess that’s the best we can do.”
“So, let’s get dinner.”
Grace glanced down at her cut off sweat pants and short t-shirt. “I’m not dressed for going out.”
His gaze raked over her as if seeing her for the first time. “Guess not. I can follow you to your hotel.”
“Sounds good.”
Right then her pager made a noise. “I forgot to leave this.”
Something in the dispatcher’s tone had her paralyzed.”
“Centre County to Glen Hills First Aid Squad and CCMC Unit 682 responding to a gunshot wound at . . . “
The address sent chills through Grace.
“That’s Dolores’ address,” Zach said.
“The killer has already struck.”
“We’ll take my car.”
***
The usual pandemonium ensued in the emergency department of Centre Community Hospital as all hands fought to save Dolores Holten.
Grace wanted them to stop. She was going to die and Grace needed to rewind again.
Despite being unsure why she kept going back, she wanted to get the trip over with. She wanted to get the mystery solved and save Dolores.
Zach paced back in forth in front of Grace’s chair. “Can’t you find out anything?”
Before she could answer someone sat down next to her. She’d seen her before, but couldn’t place her.
Grace’s spine stiffened as if frozen by the chill that raced through her. This person meant her no good.
“I’m Celia Johnson,” the red haired woman said as if Grace would know who that was.
The woman crossed her legs her colorful caftan swishing with the movement. Her fiery hair bounced as she spoke. The brown on her lips reminded Grace of a corpse.
“No comment,” Grace said, then stood. This woman must be a reporter.
“I’m not a reporter.” The woman seemed to find that funny.
Grace whirled, longing to smack off that smirk. “What are you here for.”
“You need to come out. To tell the world about your talent.”
Grace’s jaw dropped to the floor. “You’re the woman on the phone. Leave me alone.”
Zach stepped between them. “Miss Harmony doesn’t want you here. I’m not sure I do either. Go, Celia.”
“It’s a free country.”
“But you are harassing her and I can call security.” Through gritted teeth he said, “Don’t make me do that Celia. Don’t make a scene.”
Zach knew this woman. She wondered if this was the psychic who ruined his career.
He tugged on the woman’s arm. He was more than familiar with her. Then something struck Grace. The two looked like brother and sister. There was something to ponder.
He wouldn’t believe her when his own sister had powers, too.
Celia’s gaze bounced from Zach to Grace then she sighed. “Fine, but you’ll hear from me again, Miss Harmony.”
Her hair swished down her back as she passed Grace. Through her teeth, she said, “This isn’t the last of this.”
Grace’s shoulders slumped. This put an even worse spin on Zach’s reluctance to believe her. He was a skeptic even with a family member. She had no shot to convince him.
This was the last thing she needed now.
***
Zach studied Grace as she settled back into her chair. He was drawn to her, but he didn’t know why. He wanted to believe her, but doubts clouded his mind.
Right then the nurse came in and told them that Dolores didn’t make it.
Grace’s face went white, but he didn’t think from surprise. Celia had rattled her. He made a mental note to tell her to back off. Not everyone was so proud of their gift.
He sighed. As much as Dolores made him mad, he hadn’t wanted her dead. A part of his soul ached for her, she’d been a part of his life for so long.
Grace rose and crossed to him. Needing the warmth of another body, he pulled her to him. As if he’d pulled his car into his own driveway, his heart settled into a rhythm that matched hers.
Her touch soothed him and he knew all would be okay.
“I need to go see her.”
“Grace, maybe it’s for the best. If you don’t go she can’t ask you to help her.”
Grace leaned back to look at him, her brow knit. “I can’t just walk away. I was given this gift to use. It would be denying who I am.”
“You could come back tomorrow. Just wait a day.”
“Why don’t you want me to do this?”
She left his arms and took a piece of him with her.
“Can you survive another rewind?”
“It’s difficult, but doable. Zach, I have no choice.”
He sighed. “Okay.”
She nodded and left him, his heart going with her.